Product Description

"The secret password is yorc," the princess whispered. Edith longed for her girlhood in England, when her secrets had been kept safe by her dog Reddie. But now in God's timing, Edith is director of a nursing school in Belgium. Caught in the turmoil of World War I, Edith finds herself surrounded by enemy spies. As a nurse protected by the Red Cross, will Edith turn her back on the allied soldiers who desperately need her help? Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Publisher's Description

The secret password is yorc, the princess whispered. Edith longed for her girlhood in England, when her secrets had been kept safe by her dog Reddie. But now in Gods timing, Edith is director of a nursing school in Belgium. Caught in the turmoil of World War I, Edith finds herself surrounded by enemy spies. As a nurse protected by the Red Cross, will Edith turn her back on the Allied soldiers who desperately need her help?

Author Bio

Christine Farenhorst, author and poet, has written Amazing Stories from Times Past, The Great Escape, Wings like a Dove, and Before My Mothers Womb. Christine and her husband, Anco, have five children, nineteen grandchildren, a dog, and ten chickens.

ChristianBookPreviews.com

When was the last time we enjoyed a fascinating heroine who knew right from wrong, and shrewdly and daringly practiced it? Edith Cavell, the true life star ofA Cup of Cold Water, is every whit attractively moral, wonderfully human, and wholly interesting. Set in the late 1800s and early 1900s, this carefully researched story presents a deeply engrossing picture of family life, nursing, everyday living, and the horrors of war. Born in England to dedicated Christian parents who guided her with discipline, wit and love, Edith Cavell grew into a caring, independent young woman who forthrightly followed God in all things. Influenced by Florence Nightingale, Edith nursed and led one of the first Nursing Schools in Belgium before and during World War I. Brave and resourceful, she cared for all life, animal and human, friend and enemy. The intricacies of living and problems she faced will be very familiar to todays readers., resonating with their hearts and imaginations.

In the concluding Authors Note, Catherine Farenhorst gives an interesting explanation of how she frames her story from the known facts, adding interest by using a few scenes that grew from her knowledge of the subject but are historical fiction. Indeed, in A Cup of Cold Water, as our knowledge of Edith Cavell grows we will envision a live, breathing person well worth knowing.

The Germans hated Edith Cavell for the help she bravely gave the Allies. They wanted to wipe her out of all memory. But God had other ideas. This book will leave you asking yourself many questions, not the least of which is: Could I calmly face a firing squad knowing that is what the Lord wants me to do? Donna Eggett, www.christianbookpreviews.com

Editorial Reviews

A captivating introduction to Edith Cavell. Educational, inspiring, and full of gospel encouragement, A Cup of Cold Water is destined to be a family read-aloud favorite.
A blend of artistic craft and scholarly research bring Edith Cavell to life. Edith fulfills the hope of her earthly father: that she would grow up to serve God in some special way. But more important, her faith points to a heavenly Father who directs and plans lives for His glory. Just as He directed Edith Cavells life, He will accomplish the plans concerning me!

This book is about a woman who does what's right, in a loving manner, whether her friends, or enemies, approve or not. When told that she'll get in trouble, her reply is "We must do what God would want."

During her later activities she realized some of the things she felt she was wasting her time with in her youth had actually helped her to do her job later. Remembering that can help us all to have good attitudes in everything we do even when it seems mundane.

The author wrote in an entertaining way causing much laughter and good feelings as I read through this book. Of the three books from the Chosen Daughter series that I've read it is by far my favorite!

A Cup of Cold Water, written by Christine Farenhorst, is the biography of Edith Louisa Cavell, a remarkable woman from London who served as a nurse during WWI. Although she was born in England, and she received her nurses training at London Hospital, she lived most of her adult life in Brussels, Belgium. There, she ran a hospital which was essentially a school where she trained future nurses. During her stay in Brussels, WWI broke out. Brussels was under German occupation. Edith and her nursing students cared for many soldiers in their hospital. After a soldier was released from the hospital, he was supposed to report to the German police. But, Edith and her nurses helped smuggle many of the Allied troops out of the country so they could avoid capture by the Germans. It was illegal to do this, but they continued to do so even though they knew they were being watched by the German police. Edith was eventually caught by the Germans and admitted to harboring these fugitives. Her punishment was death by firing squad.Edith was a very popular nurse. People called her Edith Nightingale, after the well-known American nurse, Florence Nightingale. The Germans hoped such a harsh punishment for a well-known nurse would send a warning to the Allies that the Germans meant business; but, instead, Ediths death only served to increase the morale of the Allied troops. They made Edith into their heroine and the number of Allied volunteers actually increased.What I Like: As Ive said before, I like historical fiction. Its a good way to learn about people and places from the past. What I Dislike: Nothing.Overall Rating: Excellent.Christian Children's Book Review